UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
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MCQ SUBJECT

Science & Tech

20 UPSC Prelims MCQs tagged "Science & Tech". Free practice with answer keys, explanations, and timed mock tests on Anantam IAS.

Indian Economy 256 Environment 249 Indian Polity 240 Science & Technology 192 History 184 International Relations 104 Art & Culture 94 Geography 82 Indian Geography 70 Indian Society 57 World Geography 36 CSAT 29 Science & Tech 22 Art and Culture 8 Current Affairs 6 General Studies 4

  1. Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India?

    Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India?

    1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets


    2. T-90 MK-III Tanks


    3. Akula Class Submarine

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B1 and 3
    3. C1 only
    4. D2 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Su-30 MKI is manufactured in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Nashik with progressive indigenisation of major systems (statement 1 correct). T-90 'Bhishma' tanks, including the upgraded T-90 MK-III variant, are produced under licence at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (statement 2 correct). The Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (e.g., INS Chakra) is leased from Russia and built in Russian shipyards; India does not manufacture Akula-class submarines (statement 3 incorrect). Hence only 1 and 2 are correct.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  2. Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:

    Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:

    1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras: People, Planning, and Progress.


    2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.


    3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    Statement 1 is incorrect — the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi was built on three Sutras: People, Planet, and Progress (not 'Planning'). Statement 2 is incorrect — the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI was acknowledged as a voluntary, non-binding framework, not a binding one; binding obligations were explicitly avoided to respect sovereign discretion. Statement 3 is correct — the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was organised around seven Chakras (Pillars) including AI for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI, alongside others such as sustainability, future of work, and governance. Hence only statement 3 is correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  3. Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India:

    Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India:

    1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities.


    2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy.


    3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by the Prime Minister on Independence Day 2025, aims to build a comprehensive, multi-layered national security shield integrating air defence, ballistic missile defence and offensive aerial capabilities (statement 1 correct), with the objective of rapid, precise and powerful responses to safeguard strategic autonomy (statement 2 correct). The target year publicly stated is 2035, but the Mission's stated coverage is critical strategic, civilian and religious sites — not 'all public places of India' as statement 3 claims, which is an exaggerated rendering. Hence only 1 and 2 are correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  4. Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:

    Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:

    1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.


    2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.


    3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    IN-SPACe, set up in 2020 under DOS, is an autonomous, single-window agency to authorise and promote private participation in space (1 correct). Agnikul Cosmos' Agnibaan SOrTeD (May 2024) was the world's first flight powered by a fully 3D-printed, single-piece semi-cryogenic rocket engine (Agnilet) — (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram series uses solid and cryogenic stages, not liquid fuel for GSLV; GSLV's liquid and cryogenic stages are developed by ISRO. Hence 1 and 2 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  5. Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct?

    1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.


    2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.


    3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Drone swarms use mesh networks where individual drones share data with peers and adapt collectively, so statement 2 is correct. GPS spoofing — feeding false navigation signals — is a standard counter-swarm electronic-warfare technique alongside jamming and directed energy (3 correct). Statement 1 is wrong: swarms typically use sub-6 GHz RF, Wi-Fi, LTE/5G or proprietary bands, not the Terahertz band, which suffers severe atmospheric attenuation and is still experimental. Hence 2 and 3 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  6. Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?

    1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.


    2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.


    3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    GenomeIndia is funded by the Department of Biotechnology and executed by a consortium led by IISc Bengaluru (2 correct). Its goal is to sequence ~10,000 whole genomes representative of India's population diversity and build a national reference database of genetic variation (3 correct). Statement 1 is wrong: GenomeIndia is an independent Indian initiative launched in 2020, not part of the international Human Genome Project (which concluded in 2003). Hence 2 and 3 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  7. Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?

    1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 – 1000 physical qubits.


    2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The National Quantum Mission, approved in April 2023 with an outlay of Rs 6,003 crore, targets development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits over 8 years (1 correct). It establishes four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) — in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing & metrology, and quantum materials & devices — across top academic and national R&D institutes (2 correct). Both statements align with the DST mission document, so (c) Both 1 and 2.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  8. Which of the following statements with regard to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?

    1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.


    2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.


    3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Deep Ocean Mission was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — statement 1 is wrong. Matsya-6000 is the manned submersible being developed by NIOT to carry three persons to 6,000 m depth (2 correct). Samudrayaan is the manned-submersible project under the Deep Ocean Mission (3 correct). Hence 2 and 3 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  9. Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to mana…

    Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.

    1. Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions?

    1. AEsprit de corps
    2. BEquity
    3. CAccountability
    4. DDelegation
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Mr. X's action of reporting wrongdoing to the vigilance authority and halting a compromised contract, despite pressure from vested interests, is a textbook demonstration of accountability — the obligation of a public servant to answer for actions, decisions, and outcomes in the discharge of public duties. Esprit de corps relates to team spirit and unity among staff, equity concerns fair and impartial treatment of citizens, and delegation refers to entrusting tasks downward. None of these capture the act of standing up against malpractice and being answerable for citizen welfare, which is the essence of accountability in public administration as emphasised by 2nd ARC and Nolan principles.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  10. Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?

    1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability.


    2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors.


    3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    LLMs are next-token predictors: they output a probability distribution over possible next tokens and typically sample from the top-probability candidates (1 correct). Training relies on mathematical optimisation (gradient descent on a loss function) to minimise prediction error across vast corpora (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong — LLMs inherit and can amplify biases present in their training data, and bias mitigation is an active research problem. Hence 1 and 2 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  11. Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct?

    1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.


    2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.


    3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Stealth aircraft minimise radar cross-section using shaping and Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) like iron-ball paint (1 correct). They can be detected by low-frequency radars (VHF/UHF), bistatic and over-the-horizon systems that exploit resonance and Rayleigh scattering at specific frequencies (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: metamaterials in stealth are designed to absorb or guide electromagnetic waves around the object (cloaking), reducing scattering and reflection, not increasing it. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: INS Tamal: Indian Navy’s Newest Stealth Frigate — Complete Guide.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  12. Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?

    1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.


    2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.


    3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Genetic medicines (gene therapy, mRNA, siRNA, CRISPR) work by replacing, repairing or silencing faulty genes responsible for disease (1 correct). They are delivered using vectors such as engineered viruses (AAV, lentivirus) or lipid nanoparticles, as seen in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: genetic medicines target specific genes or transcripts and do not rewrite the entire DNA sequence — that would be neither feasible nor safe. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): UN Agency, 26 Treaties, Genetic Resources Treaty 2024, and India’s Position.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  13. Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?

    1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).


    2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.


    3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.


    4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 3 only
    2. B3 only
    3. C1, 3 and 4
    4. D1, 2 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 metallic elements — the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium (per USGS, IUPAC and standard chemistry references). Statement 4, which calls REEs '13 metallic elements', is therefore wrong. Statement 1 is correct: REEs are critical to AI chips, robotics, EVs and space tech. Statement 2 is wrong: China dominates global REE mining (~60-70%), but India is not second — the United States (~13% via the Mountain Pass mine) is the world's second-largest REE producer, followed by Myanmar and Australia. Statement 3 is correct: the Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 to build self-reliance in critical minerals. Hence only 1 and 3 are correct.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Hard

  14. Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?

    Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?

    1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration.


    2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds.


    3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access.


    4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 3
    2. B2 and 4 only
    3. C1, 2 and 4
    4. D1 and 4 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Blockchain ledgers are append-only and visible to permissioned stakeholders without alteration risk (1 correct). The distributed ledger is replicated across nodes that sync in seconds (2 correct). Cryptographic hashing plus consensus make recorded blocks effectively immutable (4 correct). Statement 3 describes a consortium chain as a 'blend of public and private blockchains' — strictly, a consortium chain is a type of permissioned blockchain governed by a group of organisations, not a hybrid public-private chain (that is a 'hybrid blockchain'). Hence 1, 2 and 4 are correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Hard

  15. Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India’s ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) initiative?

    Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative?

    1. ATo allow government control over all digital commerce transactions
    2. BTo replace private e-commerce players
    3. CTo break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks
    4. DTo mandate UPI-based payments for all online transactions
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    ONDC, incubated by DPIIT and run by a Section 8 company, is an open protocol that decouples buyers, sellers and logistics from any single platform, enabling interoperability across e-commerce networks. The aim is to democratise digital commerce and break the dominance of large platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, not to give the government control, replace private players, or mandate UPI. Option (c) captures the policy intent stated in the DPIIT strategy paper. Read more: Indian Space Policy 2023: Liberalising India’s Space Sector for Private Players.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  16. Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct?

    Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct?

    1. AUPI is a real-time payment system but Digital Rupee is akin to sovereign paper currency.
    2. BIn case of UPI, settlement for end users happens instantly as the money gets immediately debited or credited but in case of Digital Rupee, there is no settlement as the wallet balance gets transferred to another wallet.
    3. CUPI transactions are recorded by banks and reflected in bank statements but in case of Digital Rupee, no data is captured in bank statements as transactions are from one wallet to another.
    4. DIn both the cases (UPI and Digital Rupee), the liability lies with the users and their respective banks.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    In UPI the liability and settlement risk lie with banks (and the user's bank account), while the Digital Rupee (e-Rupee) is a direct liability of the Reserve Bank of India — sovereign money held in a wallet, not a bank deposit. So statement (d) is wrong because the liability does not lie with users/banks in the case of the Digital Rupee. Statements (a), (b) and (c) correctly distinguish UPI's bank-mediated, account-settled transactions from CBDC's wallet-to-wallet token transfers.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  17. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct?

    The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct?

    1. The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025.


    2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.


    3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30ᵗʰ Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    BIS notified IS 19445:2025 as India's first national standard for Bomb Disposal Suits/Systems, developed jointly by DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. The standard prescribes test protocols for blast and fragmentation resistance and will enable interoperability of bomb-disposal equipment across CAPFs, state police and the armed forces, validating statements 1 and 2. There is no involvement of any '30th Central Scientific Research Institute of Russia'; the standard was developed indigenously, so statement 3 is incorrect. Answer (c).

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  18. Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

    1. The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.


    2. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.


    3. There is a limitation on the number of 'Wild Cards' a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, US Open) are coordinated through the Grand Slam Board, providing a shared governance partnership — statement 1 correct. Entry is restricted by ranking and age-eligibility rules: the WTA/ITF age-eligibility rule limits participation, and there is no blanket open entry for all internationally ranked players above 14 — statement 2 wrong. Wild cards are allotted by each tournament (typically 8 in singles main draw) but there is no global cap on how many wild cards a single player may receive across her career — statement 3 wrong. Only 1 is correct. Read more: Artemis Accords Explained: Principles, India’s Entry, and the Lunar Governance Race.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  19. Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched?

    Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched?

    1. ACG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Renesas Electronics and STARS Microelectronics : Gujarat
    2. BTata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. : Assam
    3. CHCL-Foxconn Joint Venture India Chip Ltd. : Madhya Pradesh
    4. DSicSem Pvt. Ltd. : Odisha
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Under the India Semiconductor Mission, the approved fabs and OSATs are: Tata-PSMC at Dholera, Gujarat; Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test (TSAT) at Jagiroad, Assam; CG Power-Renesas-STARS OSAT at Sanand, Gujarat; Kaynes at Sanand; SicSem (silicon carbide) at Bhubaneswar, Odisha; and the HCL-Foxconn JV approved in 2025 for Jewar, Uttar Pradesh — NOT Madhya Pradesh. Hence option (c) is mismatched. All other pairings are correctly mapped, making (c) the answer.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  20. Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?

    1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.


    2. It is India's first homegrown 1·0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    DHRUV64, unveiled by MeitY in 2025, is indeed India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core RISC-V microprocessor and is the third silicon-validated chip rolled out under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme after VEGA and SHAKTI variants. The DIR-V Programme, launched in 2022, aims to make India a hub for RISC-V design and to enable indigenous microprocessors for strategic, automotive and IoT applications. Both statements are factually correct, so the answer is (c). Read more: Gaganyaan Mission: India’s First Human Spaceflight Programme (UPSC Science & Tech).

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy